Review: Franco by Kim Holden

Franco Genovese is the drummer for world renowned American rock band, Rook. He’s got it all. A killer smile. Tattoos. Talent. Razor sharp wit and humor. And a heart as big, and generous, as they come.
Life is good. Steady. Uncomplicated. Just the way he likes things.
Until one night at an unassuming L.A. bar changes everything.
Enter Gemma Hendricks.
She’s a successful young architect from Northern England with an adorable smile, sarcasm for days, and an unparalleled trusting heart.
The attraction is instant.
So is their friendship.
It’s also temporary because they’ll both be heading home, thousands of miles apart from each other, in a few days.
Or is it?
There’s something Gemma wants more than anything else.
And when Franco propositions her to provide what she’s looking for, everything changes.
Will it transform friendship into love, or will it be their ruin?
Note from the author: Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is recommended for mature audiences.

“Some people skim life and some people read so closely they see the things others don’t. That’s where the beauty lies, in between the lines, in the details. The story within the story. She sees it. She gets it.”

Kim Holden is an author that always soothes my soul. For whatever reason, call it Faith or superstition, her work always presents itself at exactly the time when I need it, starting back with Bright Side when I was in a cloud of ennui and depression and needed something, someone, Kate, to pull me out of it and show me some damn perspective. Franco is her latest buoy thrown to me while I flailed in a sea of doubt, uncertainty, and disillusionment. Sometimes when you feel the world fucking sucks, you need a bro to smack the back of your head and say, “Focus on what matters!” Franco is my bro.

Franco is told entirely from his point of view, so if you’re the type of romance reader who likes a male POV, then this is the book for you. It follows Franco semi-daily over the course of about six months. If you’ve read Holden then you should be familiar with her calendar entry chapter headings. There is some overlap (really just a smidgen) with Gus, and I really enjoyed experiencing those moments again. It made me want to do a re-read of both Bright Side and Gus (though I wont, because I don’t need that devastation in my life again).

I digress. Franco’s story is in line with the other Bright Side books, so if you love Kim Holden’s brand of So-Cal chill, rock infused, heartwarming romance then you’ll more than love Franco. The story follows Franco as he meets a British spitfire, falls head over heels for her, and juggles his wants and dreams with a long distance relationship. We experience the quick slide into love through Franco’s lens, but even discounting him going gaga because he sees her through his star struck eyes, it isn’t difficult as a reader to love the lovely Gemma as well (horrible taste in food notwithstanding).

Of course, since Franco is a Kim Holden novel, there’s a certain amount of heartbreak that might be expected. And yes, Holden’s characters struggle with hardships we’re all familiar with in some way, and Franco and Gemma face a few hurdles, but don’t worry, it is not like Bright Side. This is the lightest entry of the three novels, and it’s filled with humorous moments as well as some pretty sexy ones. Let me just say, the kissing scenes… pretty epic. The sexier scenes are sweet as well.

Overall, Franco is a comforting balm of a story, but it has deep meaning as well. I truly loved reading this book. It’s charming, spicy, and inspiring–the perfect read if you need a lift, a laugh, and a light smack in the rear to get going. Kate would approve.

“When you find the right person, there are no rules. You make them up as you go along.”